Abstract
Evaluation of microstructural changes is important for process control during open die forging of heavy ingots. The control of forging parameters, such as shape of the dies, reduction, temperature and sequence of passes, is to maximize the forging effects and to minimize inhomogeneities of mechanical properties. The hot working die steel is produced by using the multistage open die forging. The structure is altered during forging by subsequent Precesses of plastic deformation, recrystallization and grain growth. A numerical analysis using an rigid visco-plastic finite element model was performed to predict microstructural evolution of hot working die steel.